Worrying Survey - What to do next

[Deleted User]

Hello,

I recently had an offer accepted on a 1930's property which had been bought 6 months ago and renovated by current vendor. Initially the renovation looked to a good standard but on closer inspection I found problems such as door handles not turning probably and kitchen unit doors catching other unit doors. Also a wall has sunk where an old door was filled. These were issues which the EA verbally said could sorted easily.

However I've had a Homebuyers report come back which lists the numerous following issues as No.3 rating (immediate attention, sort before exchanging contracts.) I've listed no.3's below.
I'm wondering whether to run from this property or would I be right to re negotiate after receiving contractor quotations for the required work? Any thoughts on the costs?

I like the property but for the price I'm paying I expect a house in better condition. Many thanks in advance for reading as this is a lengthy post. Dave


E: Outside the property -
Rainwater pipes and gutters, defective and original guttering, there
are not enough downpipes to serve the building. The fascia board is stained due to a gutter and roof defects.

Main walls - evidence of rising dampness, ground levels
are high in relation to the level of the damp course, and additionally, rendering has been taken down to the ground, which will have bridged the damp course. various defects were noted to the rendering, with poor patching to previous holes and openings, and to the side wall, it is possible, that there may have been an original asbestos flue, and part may remain. The plinth is also defective in places. Where windows have been replaced we are unable to determine if adequate
provision has been made to support the structure above

Roof: The roof is unlined, which will allow damp penetration in adverse conditions. Various defects were noted, including to the valleys, where the bedding has fallen and light is showing internally and they may need to be stripped out and renewed. In addition there is loosening to the ridge and hip tiles, and general overhaul is required to the tiling. Needs recovering in near future.

Outside doors: The entrance door, is badly fitted, and with evidence of shrinkage and other defects and splits to the panels

Inside the property - Walls and partitions: It was not possible to
confirm that adequate support has been provided for the structure above the locations where walls have been removed. There is evidence of some rising dampness. Elsewhere, there is un-keyed and defective plasterwork and There is also evidence of shrinkage cracking at the junction to the ceilings.

Floors: Ventilation to the air space beneath the timber ground floor is inadequate and additionally the ground where visible beneath the flooring in the understairs cupboard is damp. The floor and other hidden areas in near proximity should be opened up and examined
in more detail

Woodwork: There is evidence of possible wood-boring insect infestation to the understairs area, and it is also likely to be elsewhere. Allowance should be made for treatment. At first floor level, doors are ill-fitting,
warped and damaged.

Other Services: Electricity Various defects were noted, including wiring to the understairs cupboard, and also defective wiring to the exterior/sheds. No test certificate

Gas/oil Various defects were noted including the main into the property is original, and no doubt warrants replacement and in addition the gas meter is not adequately fixed. no test certificate

Water The water main into the property, is of a lead type, and should be replaced in view of potential safety hazards. Plumbing has been run mainly in plastic pipework where visible, and is in need of some improvement.

Heating Various defects were noted, including lack of guard to the flue, and the position of the flue is also a possible safety hazard, discharging onto a shared path. The legal adviser should confirm, whether discharge of the boiler flue is permissible onto a shared pathway.
In addition, there is no fireproofing to the understairs cupboard, which also contains gas and electric meters. Pipework where visible is partly in plastic, and sections appear unsatisfactory, where for example there is a direct plastic pipe connection to the boiler

Water heating As with the central heating system, some pipework appears unsatisfactory

Drainage - Grounds Gullies to the rear are in need of attention and improvement, with a metal plate over the kitchen gully, restricting inspection. The manhole is blocked, and additionally is in need of repair.

The Outbuilding has an asbestos roof which I would require to be removed professionally as the building needs fully replacing.

good_advice

Hiya
The survey does sound bad ;0(
From our point, we would be withdrawing our offer.We did this when offering on a house before we bought this one. Bad survey came back.

If you are happy to put some things right yourselfs, you could try a new lower offer.
But! if the people who bought it to do up and make a quick buck in 6 months = business for profit? they may not want to play.

DaftyDuck

I sort-of do properties up as a hobby/lifestyle choice/self-inflicted torture. Your list reads like a list of what I try to avoid leaving. It sounds like a refurb by a DIY enthisiast, not a renovation. First things I (get) tend(ed) to are the roof, rainwater goods, any sign of rising damp and timber treatment. Then I start to do any rebuilding, finishing off with kitchens & bathrooms followed by decoration.

Having some serious roof defects (OK, not enough to make one walk on their own, and entirely fixable), damp, rot, whatever.... aaargh! Follow that with every sign that corners have been cut (plastic piping (does have its place, but it's a cheap-fix solution....), faulty door handles, poorly fitted doors.... I would not be proceeding!

There's a World of difference between a house in poor condition (say because the vendor is ageing, and has just got used to things how they were - which I love), and one that has been ball5ed up by bad DIY covering every defect and deficiency. There will be no end to the hidden faults and defects, and a slow but steady stream of money being emptied from your pocket.

Sure, try for a lower price, much lower, but don't expect to succeed. Nothing worse than an "expert DIY'er" (I'm not one ; I'm carp, and get a man in to do all the dangerous or dirty bits)... He'll know what an excellent job he's done, and take any comment personally... Either that, or I'd know I had botched the lot, and that some other mug would be along next week, and love my con artistry!

dragonsoup

You'll probably find a lot more things wrong with it as well once you move in! Even with pretty clean surveys I have not yet bought a property that didn't come with a few "surprises". Nothing major fortunately but still taking time and money to sort.

This sounds like a real botched job and unless I really loved the house and was prepared to pretty much redo the "renovation" I'd be withdrawing even at a lower price.

Rambosmum

Run like the wind, unless you have a lot of money to fix the issues. You could try getting the vendor to reduce the price but I'd be wanting to reduce by at the very least £20k, which is unlikely.

G_M

This sounds like an older property (1930s) that hss been owned for many years by the same (perhaps elderly) person who has ignored it/let maintenance slide.

If that were the case, and a buyer made their offer on that basis knowing modenisation/improvement was required, then fine.

But " bought 6 months ago and renovated by current vendor." !!!

1) clearly you expected a ready-to-live in property, so either
a) you walk away or
b) or treat it as requiring modenisation/improvemen, accept you'll need to spend time on it, and reduce your offer

2) given the 'renovation' seems so poor, what else has been covered up.....? And has the work been done legally? Building Regulations certificates?

lessonlearned

I agree with the others - sounds like Mr Bodger has been at work - walk away.....

ReadingTim

I'd walk away from this one unless you can negotiate a serious chunk of cash off the price; and even then only proceed if you could afford to have all the issues rectified while you weren't living in the place.

[Deleted User]

Thank you all for your responses and for taking the time to read my long post! I think I'm going to email my solicitor saying only way to move forward is to ask for contractors to come and quote and all repairs to be covered by the vendor. Of course vendor won't accept but the price that was accepted was for a ready to move in property!

Hoploz

Yes I agree, lots of work there which may well involve undoing all the. 'renovation' you're paying the premium for. Find something that hasn't been bodged up.

Innys1

The damp and the woodworm would be my number 1 concerns.

The ill fitting doors may just be because they have been fitted poorly. If, on the other hand, the walls have moved, that would be my new number 1 concern.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother getting contractors in to quote because the vendor is never going to drop the agreed price to reflect all the work that needs doing. Even if they did, by some miracle, who knows what else lurks unseen?

Run..............fast.